A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives has introduced legislation that could lead to visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah groups, and entities described as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation aims to compel the US Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress on American efforts to address what the sponsors describe as persistent religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
If passed into law, the bill would mandate the US Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions, including travel restrictions and asset freezes, on individuals and organisations accused of severe violations of religious freedom, or formally explain to Congress why such measures were not taken.
Those listed in the bill for possible sanctions include Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP); the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and groups identified as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias operating in Nigeria.
The bill, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday by Congressmen Riley Moore, the lead sponsor, alongside Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
According to the text of the proposed legislation, the lawmakers praised President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in November 2025, describing the move as a justified response to alleged religious freedom violations.
They argued that the United States should deploy “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools” to pressure the Nigerian government to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and to better protect Christian communities, clergy, and other religious minorities.
The bill further directs the Secretary of State to assess whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria meet the criteria for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under US law.
It also proposes that humanitarian assistance to affected communities, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, be delivered through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations, with funding support from the Nigerian government.
Moore, the bill’s author, has been a vocal advocate of claims of systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria and visited the country in November 2025 in connection with those concerns.
Trump’s CPC redesignation enables the US executive branch to apply a range of diplomatic and economic measures. He also authorised coordinated operations with the Nigerian government against suspected militants on Christmas Day 2025.